FINA Family

Michael Phelps becomes Youth Olympic Games ambassador

Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps became the first official Ambassador of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on February 22, 2010. The 16-time Olympic medallist will support the Youth Olympic Games by encouraging the involvement of young people around the world.

Michael Phelps said “The Youth Olympic Games is an excellent initiative, not only for the athletes competing, but also those who are inspired to get into sport and be more active. I am delighted that I have been given the opportunity to become the first official Ambassador of the Youth Olympic Games, and can’t wait to get working with the YOG team to promote the first event this summer!”

Three FINA personalities in the Rio 2016 Coordination Commission

Three FINA personalities have been appointed in the Coordination Commission for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These are FINA President Julio C. Maglione, former synchronised swimmer and General Secretary of Aruba Swimming Federation Nicole Hoevertsz and former Olympic and World champion Alexander Popov from Russia.

The 17 members of the Coordination Commission are IOC members from five continents with wide-ranging Olympic Games experience gained either from work on former IOC Evaluation or Coordination Commissions or with previous Games Organising Committees. The team, chaired by Ms Nawal El Moutawakel from Morocco, will be responsible for assisting the Rio 2016 Organising Committee during the period leading up to the Olympic Games, as well as monitoring the progress of preparations.